GLAMORGAN'S worst start to a season for 83 years continues unabated as they were favourites to suffer their fourth straight County Championship defeat in the face.

An awful day in the field saw Glamorgan set 525 runs to win in a minimum of 129 overs, was only eased by a late rally from David Hemp and Michael Powell who shared in a unbroken stand of 158 in 26 overs.

That left Glamorgan resuming on 177-2 the fourth morning needing a further 348 in 96 overs for what would be a remarkable victory.

On the flattest of flat Oval pitches Surrey did not have to move much out of second gear as they cruised past 400 for the second time in three days.

And in reply Glamorgan were soon 19-2.

Both Dan Cherry, so promising in the first innings, and Ian Thomas played rash shots they would have been disappointed with to help Martin Bicknell to 1,000 first class wickets for Surrey.

But by the close last night Powell, with his first half century of the season in any cricket, and Hemp, put some respectability on the board.

The first two sessions of the third day saw Glamorgan's attack - restored to five bowlers after a miraculous recovery by Darren Thomas from a groin injury - was taken to the cleaners in unmerciful fashion.

Scott Newman scored his first double hundred and with Mark Ramprakash plundered 254 in 53 overs in a second wicket alliance.

Apart from Robert Croft claiming Richard Clinton in the seventh over of the day the Glamorgan attack were flayed either side of lunch.

It was a dire couple of hours for anyone with Welsh connections as Glamorgan were completely outclassed.

The season became exactly a month old yesterday but already Glamorgan are surely all but relegated.

The need for a second overseas player was never more urgent following the yesterday's hapless display.

Andrew Davies did return manfully into the attack to remove Newman and Ramprakash in the space of three overs, only to see Ali Brown stride to the middle.

And the Surrey slayer proceeded to crack 42 in 22 balls to add much insult to injury before Ramprakash declared just before tea.

Meanwhile, the England and Wales Cricket Board confirmed yesterday they had received a complaint from Glamorgan concerning an alleged ball-tampering incident involving Steve Kirby in last week's championship game against Gloucestershire.